The Longhorns (5-7, 4-5 in the Big 12) saw their second straight losing season come to an end. They’ve somehow endured after their early-season embarrassments, Charlie Strong flirting with Miami, and Kris Boyd stating his desire to transfer during the middle of a game.
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“I don’t know why”, Strong said, eliciting laughter. “Now we have something we can build on, something we can take in to the offseason”.
Chris Johnson will make his second start for Baylor after almost leading the Bears to a win in Fort Worth last Friday night. Junior Seth Russell was the top-rated FBS passer when he suffered a season-ending neck injury October 24.
Swoopes was 12 of 19 for 151 yards and he rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries.
Johnny Jefferson ran for 158 yards for Baylor, and had enough yards to convert a fourth-and-4 with 2:31 left before defensive tackle Poona Ford stripped the ball loose and fell on it.
In Baylor’s two losses, the Bears were limited to 34 points (Oklahoma) and 21 points (at TCU). “But you look at our team and we played so well against Oklahoma, then you would have figured, OK, after that game you’ve got six to go play….”
Baylor ventured into Texas territory eight times. It did not help matters that the play occurred right by the Texas sideline. Junior wide receiver Lynx Hawthorne came in to man the ship for Baylor, but his inexperience and lack of throwing ability showed.
Although Baylor hadn’t scored in four possessions with Johnson at quarterback, the Bears struggled even more with Hawthorne throwing passes.
The Baylor Bears are hosting the Texas Longhorns today in college football action.
“It’s really tough”, Coleman said.
Meanwhile, the offense went into hyper-conservative mode with a hobbled Tyrone Swoopes after abandoning an ineffective Jerrod Heard in the first half. Hawthorne was 4 of 13 for 22 yards with two interceptions.
Other than the initial contacts and the resulting bench clearings, however, no actual fights occurred.
This led to the entire Baylor team coming across the field for a brief pushing and shoving match.
“It started in the pregame”, Strong said. I didn’t want that. “It was working (in the wildcat), so we just kept going”.
Baylor still had a chance after the Longhorns punted, but Jefferson’s pass from the Texas 47 on the last play of the game was incomplete. Three first-half turnovers, coupled with the injuries, led to a 20-0 Texas lead at halftime.
Texas upset No. 12 Baylor in Waco. The Bears had won four of five in the series before Saturday….
Texas has looked outstanding in flashes this season.
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The Bears play their first home game since a 44-34 loss to Oklahoma three weeks ago ended their 20-game home winning streak – and playoff hopes.
